Sheffield Wednesday head coach Stuart Gray has confirmed that rumoured Coventry City target Chris Kirkland will be allowed to leave on loan next month - as soon as he can get players back from injury.

The 33-year-old, out of contract in the summer, has been linked with a return to the Sky Blues after losing his place in the Owls side to another former City keeper Keiren Westwood this season.

Gray said: “We have Joe Wildsmith out injured at the moment. Once we get him back, we may consider letting Chris go out for 28 days to get some football. He’s not happy he’s not in the team which I can understand.

“But one thing Chris does do is he comes in, works hard and pushes Keiren Westwood. Once we have a full quota of keepers, we will have to review the situation. Chris has expressed a desire to play but he’s got somebody in front of him.

“I would be disappointed if he was just happy being sat on the bench and picking up his wages.”

The Barwell lad who City sold to Liverpool for a then British record fee of around £6million for a goalkeeper in 2001 at the age of 20, is believed to be one of a number of keepers Pressley is looking at and would come highly recommended by goalkeeping coach Steve Ogrizovic.

However Gray revealed that he is yet to hold talks with the Sky Blues despite the speculation, saying: “I’ve had no conversation with them.”

He added: “I don’t know if Coventry have got problems with their goalkeepers but I would imagine Championship clubs will be looking at Chris because of the quality he’s got.”

We asked City supporters to use our new Rumour Meter tool on the possible re-signing of Kirkland. A massive 92 per cent of fans have said they want and rate the former England international but only 44 per cent believe the rumour.